Overview
- Prosecutors allege Justin Ward, 34, shouted anti-Iran and anti-Indian slurs, followed a man into Crave Cookies, and spat on him, striking his neck and chest.
- Police say Ward fled after hearing sirens, then was arrested at his Lombard home later that night.
- The DuPage County State’s Attorney charged one count of a hate crime and one count of aggravated battery in a public place, both felonies.
- DuPage State’s Attorney Robert Berlin and Lombard Police Chief Joe Grage condemned the alleged conduct and urged residents to report hate incidents.
- ABC7 reported the encounter was recorded by the victim, identified as Ahmed Khan, and CAIR welcomed the decision to pursue hate-crime charges.